LAW 861 - Law & Philosophy

Unit(s): 2

This course focuses on aspects of law that raise philosophical questions. A primary topic will be the nature of judicial decision-making. Do judges (ideally) follow the law mechanically and perhaps exercise discretion at the margins, do they generally make value judgments framed by relevant legal standards, do they exercise great discretion and then use the law merely to rationalize their decisions, or do they operate in some other way? More broadly, topics may include the nature of law, theories of adjudication, and whether traditional legal theories can usefully illuminate either one.

Restriction: College restricted to School of Law
School of Law